PSHE and RSE

At Highbury Quadrant Primary School, we believe that high-quality Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education, including Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), is essential for equipping our pupils with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to flourish in today’s world and to lead fulfilling lives. We use the You, Me, PSHE scheme from Islington Local Authority, which is designed to provide a comprehensive, inclusive, and age-appropriate curriculum for all children.

Our intent is to deliver an engaging, progressive programme that empowers every child to develop the confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence to navigate life’s opportunities and challenges. Through PSHE and RSE, we aim to foster self-awareness, positive relationships, and a deep respect for diversity, supporting our pupils’ mental and physical wellbeing and preparing them for their future roles in society.

Our PSHE and RSE curriculum is underpinned by the following key aims:

Empowerment and Responsibility: We ensure that children are equipped with the tools to make informed, responsible decisions about their health, wellbeing, and relationships. By developing critical thinking and self-regulation, we help pupils understand the consequences of their actions and the importance of personal responsibility.
Inclusion and Respect for Diversity: Our curriculum celebrates and embraces diversity, promoting a culture of inclusion where all pupils feel valued, regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, ability, or sexual orientation. We actively challenge stereotypes and foster a sense of belonging for all members of our school community.
Wellbeing and Safety: Pupils’ emotional and physical wellbeing is central to our intent. We provide a safe space for children to explore topics such as mental health, personal safety, and online safety, and encourage open dialogue so they feel confident seeking support when needed.
Progression and Continuity: Our PSHE and RSE curriculum is carefully sequenced across all year groups to ensure continuity and progression, building on prior learning and preparing children for the next stages of their education and lives. Topics are revisited with increasing depth, tailored to the developmental needs of each age group.
Life Skills for the Future: We aim to equip our pupils with essential life skills such as financial literacy, healthy living, digital safety, and understanding of the wider world. These skills ensure that children leave primary school well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the modern world, both in secondary education and beyond.
Strong Parental Partnerships: We actively engage parents and carers in our RSE curriculum, ensuring transparency and alignment with our community’s values while adhering to statutory requirements. We work closely with families to create an open dialogue and a shared understanding of our approach to sensitive topics.
Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural Development: Our PSHE and RSE provision supports the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) development of every child, embedding British values and fostering a sense of citizenship. Pupils are encouraged to contribute positively to society, respect the rule of law, and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our community and the wider world.

The You, Me, PSHE scheme ensures that every child receives a comprehensive education that covers health and wellbeing, relationships, living in the wider world, and economic well-being. Our programme is tailored to meet statutory guidelines and includes additional resources that reflect the unique needs and diversity of our school community. We are committed to delivering a curriculum that helps every child thrive, both now and in the future.

Together, we strive to nurture confident, empathetic, and resilient individuals who are well-prepared to take their place in society and lead happy, healthy lives.